But it was the performance of the LEAP™ engine– produced by CFM International, the 50-50 collaboration between France’s Snecma and GE Aviation — that dazzled. Orders of the LEAP, which will power narrow-body aircraft such as the new A320neo aircraft, totaled 3,000 units in 2011.

The LEAP engine will allow new aircraft to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel burn by 15 percent compared to current CFM engines in this aircraft class.